Friday, February 29, 2008 Army denies sexual harassment, physical abuse raps v. 66th IB men
THE Philippine Army vehemently denied reports of sexual harassment and physical abuse allegedly committed by some members of the 66th Infantry Battalion in Baracatan, Toril, Davao City.
In a telephone interview, Army's 1002nd Brigade chief Colonel Gaudencio Pangilinan, said there is no truth to the accusations, adding they expect such "unfounded accusations" to come their way especially in the conduct of combat operations.
Task Force Davao chief Colonel Allan Luga echoed the same sentiment, saying the accusations against the Army's 66th IB are lies and full of malice.
It was learned that four persons filed different complaints against members of the Army's 66th IB before the Commission on Human Rights Tuesday.
A CHR employee said the complaints include sexual harassment and physical abuse, among others.
The employee refused to provide further details saying the complaint is now under investigation by their office and only regional director Alberto Sipaco is allowed to give any information regarding the case.
In a statement sent to Sun.Star Davao Thursday, human rights group Karapatan condemned what it calls "human rights violations" by the Army unit in Toril.
They particularly accused 2nd Lieutenant Ferdinand Fernandez "for sowing fear, terror and committing human rights violations among residents of Barangay Baracatan."
"Farmers from the area reported that their normal farming activities were disrupted and their lives and properties were at risk from imminent hostilities since the military operation started last January 2008. Because of the ongoing military operations, 16 families living in Purok 1 San Roque, Baracatan have already evacuated and 62 individuals were instructed by 2nd Lt. Ferdinand Fernandez not to go back to their farm because they are not allowed to do so," the group claimed.
Karapatan said that at around 6 a.m. on February 20, six army soldiers (one identified as Cafgu Isidro Otero)--armed with M14 and M16 rifles--arrived at Egmedio Alonsagay's house in Purok 1-San Roque.
A certain Gonzales allegedly told Egmedio that 2nd Lieutenant Ferdinand Fernandez wanted him and his daughter Melanie Alonsagay to go with them to the Army detachment of the Army's 72nd IB in Purok 2-San Roque.
Egmedio was interrogated by 2nd Lieutenant Fernandez who claimed that the P10,000 capital used by his daughter for the sari-sari store was funded by the New People's Army. Egmedio denied however that the capital was his daughter's.
Fernandez however said Egmedio is a liar.
Fernandez allegedly punched Egmedio three times on the abdomen and threatened to hill him.
"Melanie, 19 year-old daughter of Egmedio, was allegedly accused by Fernandez that the capital used by his father in his farming is financed by the NPA. Melanie denied the accusations. Furthermore she said that her mother helped her father finance the farming and her mother is employed. Melanie also experienced sexual harassment done by 2nd Lt. Fernandez," Karapatan said.
The militant group called for the immediate pullout of the 66th IB in Baracatan and a thorough investigation of military personnel who committed human rights violations.
They said "appropriate disciplinary action must be enforced upon 2nd Lieutenant Fernando Fernandez who is responsible for the violations." (BOT)
